"Uchiha Ryujin… so you actually showed up."
The moment Ryujin stepped into the command tent, Jiraiya raised a brow, his tone carrying a faint trace of surprise mixed with something less welcoming.
Ryujin glanced at him calmly, his expression unchanged. "What? Not happy to see Uchiha reinforcements?"
To be fair, Jiraiya didn't dislike the Uchiha as a clan. Their strength was undeniable, and on the battlefield, they were more than reliable. But Ryujin… was a different matter entirely.
In Jiraiya's eyes, Ryujin was a rival.
A love rival.
Unilaterally, perhaps—but no less real because of it.
For years, Jiraiya had harbored feelings for Tsunade, and yet her connection with Ryujin had always felt… closer than it should have been. That alone was enough to irritate him.
At this stage of his life, Jiraiya had yet to grow into the composed and worldly figure he would one day become. He was still impulsive, still direct, still unable to fully hide what he felt.
Though, in truth—
Even in the future, that wouldn't change much.
"Welcome? Of course you're welcome."
Orochimaru's voice cut in smoothly, effortlessly redirecting the conversation before it could escalate. His tone was calm and measured, carrying a quiet authority that contrasted sharply with Jiraiya's open reactions.
"Ryujin-kun arrived at the perfect time. We're in dire need of support."
Unlike Jiraiya, Orochimaru saw the situation for what it was.
The battlefield was deteriorating.
Without Uchiha reinforcements, the coming clashes would become increasingly difficult. No matter how they were treated within Konoha, on the battlefield, the Uchiha were nothing short of monsters.
Once the Sharingan was activated, a single Uchiha could engage multiple opponents of the same level. This wasn't theory or exaggeration—it was proven reality, forged through countless battles.
Life and death had already validated it.
Facing two or even three enemies alone was not unusual for them.
And that level of combat ability—
Was terrifying.
"Where's Tsunade? Did she come as well?" Orochimaru asked, shifting his attention.
"She's already at the medical unit, treating the wounded," Ryujin replied with a slight nod.
The four of them—Ryujin, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—belonged to the same era. They had known each other for years, their paths crossing repeatedly throughout their growth.
At this point in time, however, the title that would one day define them had not yet been born.
The Three Legendary Ninja.
But Ryujin remembered.
In the timeline he knew, that title would be forged through a single battle—against a man who stood at the peak of the shinobi world.
Hanzo of the Salamander.
A being that could only be described as a demigod.
Which meant—
This battlefield…
Was the stage where that legend would begin.
And also the place where Konoha would pay a heavy price.
Yes, the Three Ninja would rise.
But their rise would not come without loss.
A loss so severe that even years later, it would remain a shadow none of them wished to revisit.
Ryujin understood all of this.
But he said nothing.
Because for now—
It didn't concern him.
That was simply how he operated.
If it didn't involve his interests—
He would not interfere.
Soon, the discussion shifted entirely toward strategy.
The war had reached a critical turning point. After prolonged probing, skirmishes, and tactical feints, the four nations had already exposed most of their capabilities. There was no more room for subtlety, no more need for testing.
Troop numbers, battle styles, strategic patterns—everything had been revealed.
This war had entered its true phase.
A direct clash.
A brutal confrontation of raw strength.
At this stage, even the smallest mistake could trigger total collapse.
After careful deliberation, Orochimaru and Jiraiya reached a unified conclusion.
They would strike first.
Most of the Jōnin present agreed without hesitation. Passive defense would only lead to being worn down. If they wanted to survive, they needed to seize the initiative.
"The Land of Rain holds the advantage as the host battlefield," Orochimaru said, pointing calmly at the map spread across the table.
"Over the past few days, we've already suffered significant losses—especially in terms of supply lines. Their logistical advantage is overwhelming."
His tone remained steady, analytical, every word precise.
"If this continues, our disadvantage will only increase. This war will not end quickly. We must prepare for a prolonged conflict."
His golden eyes swept across the room.
"No objections?"
Silence.
No one spoke.
Because everyone understood.
Even the strongest shinobi required food, rest, and medicine. In prolonged warfare, logistics were not secondary—they were decisive.
And at this moment—
Konoha was losing that battle.
Ryujin remained silent, observing everything.
Seeing no opposition, Orochimaru continued.
"Our objective is clear. We will penetrate enemy lines and destroy their supply units and operational base."
His finger tapped lightly against the map, marking the critical points.
"This strike force will prioritize speed. We avoid unnecessary engagements and focus entirely on disrupting their logistics."
He paused briefly before adding, his tone sharpening just slightly,
"If Hanzo of the Salamander appears… we withdraw immediately. No pointless sacrifices."
Even the mention of that name caused subtle tension to ripple through the room.
A Kage-level existence—
Not something ordinary shinobi could face.
"Jiraiya and I will lead the vanguard," Orochimaru continued. "The remaining forces will be divided into multiple squads, handling support, flanking, and retreat coordination."
The plan unfolded in detail.
Precise.
Efficient.
Deadly.
Ryujin listened quietly, and inwardly, he gave a faint nod.
Orochimaru's judgment was flawless.
Calm.
Sharp.
Focused entirely on the core issue.
If not for the darkness hidden within him—
He would have been the perfect Hokage.
Talent.
Capability.
Vision.
He lacked nothing.
Except—
Restraint.
Even so, Konoha's forces remained stretched thin. The White Fang was occupied on another front. Tsunade was tied down with medical responsibilities—equally critical. Hiruzen and Danzo remained within the village, unable to leave.
Konoha's strongest forces—
Were scattered.
Too scattered.
That was why, despite possessing elite shinobi, they were still being suppressed in the Land of Rain.
Overall, Konoha still held the advantage in strength.
For now—
They maintained the balance.
But everything…
Depended on this strike.
If this operation failed—
The tide of war would shift completely.
And once that happened—
There would be no turning back.